Pennie explained the majority of these assaults go unreported because victims feel guilt and shame.

Katie Kitschke, the executive director at the Saffron Centre, thinks the online tool will help encourage victims to come forward.

“I think it will increase reporting, but there’s also another side of it: when it’s done online, you don’t have the human connection with the person, so you can’t see if they’re struggling and need other supports.”

There have been 600 sexual assaults reported to Edmonton police so far in 2018.